Susana de la Riva

Use of colonoscopy as a primary screening test for colorectal cancer in average risk people

OBJECTIVE:The use of colonoscopy as a primary screening test for colorectal cancer (CRC) in average risk adults is a subject of controversy. Our primary objective was to build a predictive model based on a few simple variables that could be used as a guide for identifying average risk adults more suitable for examination with colonoscopy as a primary screening test.METHODS:The prevalence of advanced adenomas was assessed by primary screening colonoscopy in 2210 consecutive adults at least 40 yr old, without known risk factors for CRC. Age, gender, and clinical and biochemical data were compared among people without adenomas, those with nonadvanced adenomas, and those with any advanced neoplasm. A combined score to assess the risk of advanced adenomas was built with the variables selected by multiple logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:Neoplastic lesions were found in 617 subjects (27.9%), including 259 with at least one neoplasm that was 10 mm or larger, villous, or with moderate-to-severe dysplasia, and 11 with invasive cancers. Advanced lesions were more frequent among men, older people, and those with a higher body mass index (BMI). These three variables were independent predictors of advanced adenomas in multivariate analysis. A score combining age, sex, and BMI was developed as a guide for identifying individuals more suitable for screening colonoscopy.CONCLUSIONS:Age, gender, and BMI can be used to build a simple score to select those average risk adults who might be candidates for primary screening colonoscopy.

Gastroduodenal Injury After Radioembolization of Hepatic Tumors

BACKGROUND:Radioembolization is a new tool for the treatment of hepatic tumors that consists in the injection of biocompatible microspheres carrying radioisotopes into the hepatic artery or its branches.METHODS:We have performed radioembolization in 78 patients with hepatic tumors using resin-based microspheres loaded with yttrium-90. All patients were previously evaluated to minimize the risk of hazardous irradiation to nontarget organs and to obtain the data needed for dose calculation.RESULTS:We report a complication found in three cases (3.8%) that consists of abdominal pain resulting from gastroduodenal lesions and that had a chronic, insidious course. Microscopically, microspheres were detected in the specimens obtained from all affected gastric areas. Since these gastroduodenal lesions do not appear when nonradiating microspheres are injected in animals, lesions are likely to be due to radiation and not to an ischemic effect of vascular occlusion by spheres.CONCLUSIONS:We believe that a pretreatment evaluation that includes a more thorough scrutiny of the hepatic vascularization in search of small collaterals connecting to the gastroduodenal tract can help prevent this awkward complication.

Diagnostic value of distal colonic polyps for prediction of advanced proximal neoplasia in an average-risk population undergoing screening colonoscopy

BACKGROUND For colorectal cancer screening, the predictive value of distal findings in the ascertainment of proximal lesions is not fully established. The aims of this study were to assess distal findings as predictors of advanced proximal neoplasia and to compare the predictive value of endoscopy alone vs. combined endoscopic and histopathologic data. METHODS Primary colonoscopy screening was performed in 2210 consecutive, average-risk adults. Age, gender, endoscopic (size, number of polyps), and histopathologic distal findings were used as potential predictors of advanced proximal neoplasms (i.e., any adenoma > or =1 cm in size, and/or with villous histology, and/or with severe dysplasia or invasive cancer). Polyps were defined as distal if located in the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, or the rectum. Those in other locations were designated proximal. RESULTS Neoplastic lesions, including 11 invasive cancers, were found in 617 (27.9%) patients. Advanced proximal neoplasms without any distal adenoma were present in 1.3% of patients. Of the advanced proximal lesions, 39% were not associated with any distal polyp. Older age, male gender, and distal adenoma were independent predictors of advanced proximal neoplasms. The predictive ability of a model with endoscopic data alone did not improve after inclusion of histopathologic data. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the predictive ability of models that use age, gender, and any combination of distal findings was relatively low. The proportion of advanced proximal neoplasms identified if any distal polyp was an indication for colonoscopy was only 62%. CONCLUSIONS A strategy in which colonoscopy is performed solely in patients with distal colonic findings is not effective screening for the detection of advanced proximal neoplasms in an average-risk population.

Carbon dioxide vs. air insufflation in ileo-colonoscopy and in gastroscopy plus ileo-colonoscopy: a comparative study

INTRODUCTION insufflation with carbon dioxide (CO2) during endoscopies compared to air is associated with a decrease in abdominal discomfort after the examination, because CO2 is readily absorbed through the small intestine and eliminated by the lungs. AIM the objective of this randomized clinical trial was to assess the effect of CO2 insufflation on pain and abdominal distension after an ileo-colonoscopy (I) and after an ileo-colonoscopy plus gastroscopy (I+G). MATERIAL AND METHODS we included a total of 309 patients in the study and all endoscopies were performed under sedation with propofol. Two hundred fourteen patients underwent an I (132 with CO2 / 82 with air) and 95 underwent an I+G (53 with CO2 / 42 with air). Abdominal pain was studied at 10, 30 and 120 minutes of exploration and abdominal perimeter difference before and after the procedure. RESULTS both in group I and in group I+G, the use of CO2 translated into an average of abdominal pain significantly lower (p < 0.05). Similarly, a smaller increase in waist circumference was found among group I and group I+G, in patients where CO2 was used (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION the insufflation of CO2 instead of air during the performance of endoscopy significantly reduces the discomfort and abdominal pain after an ileo-colonoscopy and after a gastroscopy + ileo-colonoscopy.

Comparative study of a responsive insertion technology (RIT) colonoscope versus a variable-stiffness colonoscope

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES recently, Olympus developed a new prototype (XCF-Q180AY2L) with responsive insertion technology (RIT), which besides the still known variable stiffness technology, included a passive bending section and a new high force insertion tube. Our objective was to investigate whether the use of this prototype could ease colonoscope insertion, increasing the cecal intubation rate, and/or shortening the cecal intubation time. MATERIAL AND METHODS the study was designed as a prospective observational study in 305 consecutive patients from a colo-rectal cancer screening program. We compared colonoscopies performed with conventional colonoscopes (CFH180AL/CFQ160L) with those performed with the prototype XCF-Q180AY2L. End points were mean cecal and terminal ileal intubation times, cecum intubation rate, and need for specific maneuvers. All colonoscopies were performedunder sedation with intravenous propofol. Finally, 288 patients were included. RESULTS no complications were observed. Complete cecal intubation rate was 100 % in both groups. The ileum could be reached in 98.95 % of cases. Mean time required to reach the cecum was shorter in the prototype endoscope group (4.31 min, SD 2.63 min) than in the conventional endoscope group (4.66 min, SD 2.52 min) (p < 0.05). Compared with the standard colonoscope group, we observed in the prototype group less subjective sensation of difficultyin the passage of the sigma (p < 0.01), fewer maneuvers when it proved necessary to straighten the scope (p < 0.01), and less frequent need to modify the stiffness of the endoscope (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION we concluded that the prototype endoscope (XCFQ180AY2L) facilitated colonoscope insertion, requiring slightly less time to reach the cecum than a standard colonoscope.

Herpetic esophagitis: a case report on an immunocompetent adolescent

Herpetic esophagitis in immunocompetent individuals is a rare entity that should be suspected clinically by an acute onset of symptoms, and without apparent cause of a symptomatic triad consisting on odynophagia, heartburn and fever. Its occurrence may be due to reactivation of a previous infection or less often a primary infection. Herpes simplex type 1 is the most common cause. Upper endoscopy establishes the diagnosis of suspicion of herpetic esophagitis. It also allows to take multiple biopsy samples and viral culture, leading to a definitive diagnosis. The severity of symptoms is related to the degree of oesophageal involvement. In immunocompromised patients treatment is indicated with acyclovir, but the indication in immunocompetent patients is controversial because the process is time, limited with a low probability of complications. We present a case of acute herpetic esophagitis in an immunocompetent host that debuted acutely with severe upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms, associated with an insidious and nonspecific onset of flu-like symptoms. Endoscopic findings showed a severe involvement in the lower third of the oesophageal mucosa.

⁎4500 Prevalence and risk factors of advanced colonic adenomas in average-risk population.

Evidence from controlled trials suggest that removing adenomatous polyps reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. Nowadays, it is clear that only a small proportion of adenomas go on to develop into cancer. Advanced adenomas (AA; adenoma ≥ 1 cm in size, with villous component, or with moderate to high-grade dysplasia) are associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Aims: To establish independent predictive factors of AA in average-risk asymptomatic population. Methods: From 1988 to 1998 screening total colonoscopy was performed, as a part of a routine medical checking, in 2210 consecutive average-risk asymptomatic people, in whom strict exclusion criteria were applied. Clinical, biochemical, endoscopic and histologic data were recorded. Univariate comparisons were assessed using the Chi2 test and logistic regression. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Colonic polyps were detected in 885 of 2210 patients and neoplastic lesions in 617 (27.9%). 11 subjects (0.5%) presented malignant polyps or carcinoma. AA were found in 268 patients (12.1%). The variables selected by univariate analyses to enter the multivariate model were: age (p

4503 Prevalence and risk factors for advanced proximal colonic adenomas in average-risk population.

Aims: To establish independent predictive risk factors for APA in averagerisk population. Methods: From 1988 to 1998 screening total colonoscopy was performed in consecutive average-risk people, with strict exclusion criteria. Clinical, biochemical, endoscopic and histologic data were recorded. The term advanced was used for adenomas with villous component, moderate-severe dysplasia or ≥1cm. Adenomas were defined as distal if they came from the descending colon or distally. Univariate comparisons were assesed using the Chi2 Test and logistic regression. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. Results: APA were detected in 125 of 2210 subjects (5.66%); 56 (44.8%) had no index distal adenoma. Independent predictors for presenting APA, after adjustment for the endoscopist who performed the endoscopy, are shown in the table. Conclusions: Almost half cases with APA did not present a distal index lesion. Distal polyp characteristics which were independent risk factors for APA were villous component and moderate-severe dysplasia.This multivariate model offers guidelines for clinicians in the approach to patients with distal tubular adenomas.